Block structure

ABSTRACT

A block comprising two halves, each half being barrel shaped defining a hole therethrough comprising a tubular extension that extends from the first end and a second end configured to receive a tubular extension from another block. The blocks can be made from a variety of different materials and may be connected to one another to create a variety of different structures.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The field of this invention concerns a block structure. In particular,the present invention relates to a block structure that can be used toconstruct a variety of differently shaped functional objects while usinga variety of different materials.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A block or blocks have been used to create a variety of differentstructures in building construction. Bricks and cinder blocks have beenused to make homes and buildings or to create separations betweenspaces. In addition to blocks, another way of separating interior livingspaces from one another in the past is via items like shoji screens,curtains, drapes, shelves, and large pieces of furniture.

In the alternative, contractors can be hired to create permanent wallstructures using dry wall, stucco, and other building materials. A logcabin is merely various blocks of wood arranged such that the cabin canbe built by arranging those blocks in such a way that a solid structureis created. Similarly, toy blocks also have been used to amuse childrenas they build structures that are assembled and disassembled to createdifferent animals, forts, vehicles, etc.

The prior art, however, has various limitations. For example, in termsof the different usages of blocks, bricks and cinder blocks must becemented together creating a permanent structure which cannot be usedfor any purpose other than separating the interior and the exterior of ahouse or separating one living space from another.

In terms of shoji screens, drapes, shelves, or other separators used todivide living space; they are also limited to that usage. They areportable which overcomes the permanence of bricks or actual dry wall,but they are not able to be transformed to create other structures oritems which may be used in a living space, such as various furnitureitems. Additionally, these cannot change shape, bend, curve, or beflexible such that a room can be divided in various different ways ordifferent structures can be built to add character to an otherwisesquare or rectangular shaped room. Moreover, items like shoji screensare extremely delicate because typically they are made of wood or ricepaper. Materials used in the past may degrade with constant ultravioletradiation or may stain easily.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

The building block of this invention is intended to overcome theaforementioned shortcomings. It is therefore an object of this inventionto use the block structure to create temporary or semi-permanentstructures to be used in a variety of different ways.

A further object of this invention is to create walls or structures todivide or separate living spaces. Thus, the blocks can be used to createcubicles in office space and can be used to create walls or separationsin a large room in a home or loft.

A further object of this invention is to use the blocks to create piecesof furniture such as table bases, chairs, couches, lamps, bed frames,shelves, stands, storage chests or trunks.

A further object of this invention is to use the blocks to assembleitems and structures such that the user has the ability to thendisassemble the items or structure to either create another item or tochange locations of the item with ease.

A further object of this invention is the ability to use variousmaterials to create the block such that the cost of creating thefurniture or separating structure can be dramatically reduced from themarket price of alternate items, depending, on the material used tocreate the block. Additionally, because many different materials may beused it is possible to create structures that are more sturdy andresistant to the elements than items such as shoji blinds or furnituremade of plywood or other materials.

Other features and advantages of the present invention will becomeapparent from the following description of the preferred embodiments,taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate,by way of example, the principles of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the blocks used in a system.

FIG. 2A is a side view of a full block.

FIG. 2B is a top view of a full block.

FIG. 3 is a side view of a half block.

FIG. 4 is a front view of a cross section of a cap block.

FIG. 5 is an exploded view of an assembly of the blocks.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the blocks creating a curved surface.

FIG. 7A is a top view of a full block showing a large diameter femalereceptacle.

FIG. 7B is a top view of a full block showing a small diameter femalereceptacle.

FIG. 8A is a side cross sectional view of a full block with an internalbore hole.

FIG. 8B is a side cross sectional view of blocks with an internal boreused in a system, depicting one means of securing said blocks.

FIG. 9A is a top view of a block whereby the B length is just over thecombined length of both A lengths.

FIG. 9B is a side view of the blocks as used in a system.

FIG. 10A is a top view of a block whereby the B length is well over thecombined length of both A lengths.

FIG. 10B is a view of the blocks as used in a system such that theblocks form a lattice.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

While the invention has been described in connection with a preferredembodiment, it will be understood that it is not intended to cover allmodifications and alternative constructions falling within the scope ofthe invention as expressed in the appended claims.

As shown in FIG. 1, the present invention is a block that is able tocreate structures by connecting the block to other blocks. A wall ofblocks is shown in FIG. 1 such that each block has two male extensions.One male extension is attached to the female receptacle of a secondblock and the other male extension is attached to the female receptacleof a third block. In this way, an entire wall of blocks, as shown, canbe constructed to create a number of different items.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the blocks can be made of anumber of materials, including but not limited to, all metals includingcopper, aluminum, iron, steel or bronze; plastic; acrylic; wood, Lucite;styrene; pvc; clear glass; opaque glass; fiberglass; concrete; leather;paper; canvas; natural and acrylic fibers; medium density fiber board,low density fiber board, Corian®, marble and other stone, Kevlar, andcarbon fiber. The ability to use so many different materials can createa block that is easy to clean and maintain. Additionally, the structurecan be extremely sturdy and resistant to many of the elements such aswind, rain, and sun which can affect the strength and aestheticqualities of other objects. Each block can range in size fromapproximately 0.5 inch wide by 0.25 inches deep by 0.25 inches tall to50 feet wide by 25 feet deep by 100 feet tall.

The interlocking blocks in FIG. 1 can be used to create a variety ofdifferent structures. These structures or items may be dividers orseparators including such structures as permanent or temporary walls,fences, or dividers that create cubicles when establishing office spacesto allow privacy for individual workers or groups of workers in largeoffice spaces. These blocks may also be used to create outdoorstructures such as fences, ivy lattices, gazebos, waterfalls, andgarages. There are a variety of advantages in using these blocks increating walls or dividing living or working space.

Because various materials can be used, the blocks can be more durablethan traditional shoji blinds, curtains, plywood dividers or officespace dividers. Additionally, the ability to use different materialsallows the ability to make aesthetically appealing blocks thatcorrespond to the environment. For example, in a child's room, plasticblocks may be used as play toys, and/or may be used to create a dividerbetween the sleeping area and the playing area. In the alternative, in amodern office building or downtown loft, aluminum blocks can create aunique and contemporary divider.

Another advantage is the shape of the blocks, because these blocks havea radiused edge, the ability to make curved walls is much easier andless expensive than creating curved walls with materials such as brick,dry wall, and/or sheet rock. The blocks have flexibility of placementdue to the radiused edge.

These interlocking blocks may also create pieces of furniture,especially if paired with a variety of different surfacing or upholsteryoptions. Such pieces of furniture may include items such as tables,chairs, couches, counters, stands, shelves, columns, storage chests, andbeds. There are several advantages to using the blocks to create piecesof furniture.

These advantages may include the fact that the blocks can be assembled,disassembled, and re-assembled in many different ways to create manydifferent structures depending on the space available and the piece offurniture that is required at a particular time or event. Additionally,the blocks may be stored in a very efficient and space conservingmanner; and because the assembled items can be disassembled intoindividual block units this allows for awkward, cumbersome pieces tomove and relocate.

Another advantage of the invention is that the furniture can be movedmuch more easily without worrying about breakage of the furniture or ofinjuring of persons who may be moving the furniture. Because the blocksmay be disassembled the weight of the object may be dramatically reducedto allow for easy and light-weight moving.

Additionally, because the blocks are hollow, fixtures and appliances canbe created whereby the tubing, plumbing, or electrical wiring of thesefixtures or appliances can run inside the block or blocks such that theoutside of the blocks remains aesthetically appealing. Fixtures andappliances include but are not limited to, lamps or any lightingfixtures, sinks, toilets, and water falls. Moreover, because the blocksare hollow and have a multi-angular surface when they are linked withone another, there is an increase in the absorption and re-direction ofacoustical energy which creates a better environment for home theatersystems and the like.

If a permanent or semi-permanent structure is required or desired, theblocks can be linked and assembled, and then fixed in that positionusing various adhesives. Similarly, the blocks can be connected via aseries of internal bores whereby a cable lock mechanism can beincorporated therethrough. Although, nails, screws, bolts, staples andother items may be used to fix one block to another, it is not entirelynecessary. Additionally, because a set of blocks would be the same sizeso that they could be assembled into a structure, there is no sawing andsanding that is necessary, which ultimately results in less injury whenconstructing the blocks into a desired structure.

Because these blocks can be broken down into units, this creates anenormous amount of building flexibility which enables the user toconstruct the blocks for a variety of different uses. The ability todivide rooms and then break down the blocks into units to create otherobjects like furniture allows for a great deal of freedom to use theseblocks in a variety of different ways without tiring of one shape.

The side view of a full block is shown in FIG. 2A. Each block 200comprises two halves 220 and 230 which are created out of a block body210. The block body 210 supports other block bodies when the blocks areengaged with one another. The block body also serves to press the twohalves 220 and 230 together.

Two circular male extensions 240 and 250 extrude out of each half 220and 230 of the block 200. The male extensions 240 and 250 can be made ofa variety of materials including but not limited to the same material asthe block body. The female receptacles 270 and 280 are able to acceptthe male extensions of another block (not shown). The female receptaclesare preferably the same diameter and width apart so as to accept themale extensions of another block.

In one preferred embodiment of the invention that can be used to createthe plurality of embodiments discussed above, the block 200 may be 9inches tall, 5.0 inches deep, and 10 inches wide. In a preferredembodiment, the block body 210 could have a wall thickness of 0.25inches. The distance between the medial surface of the male membersshould not be less than 0.5 inches as represented at 260. Surroundingthe space between the first half and the second half could have a wallthickness of 0.5 inches. Additionally, in a preferred embodiment themale extensions 240 and 250 could be 4.5 inches in diameter, and couldextend 1.5 inches above the block surface 260. The male extensions 240and 250 can then be mounted into the female receptacles 270 and 280 ofan identical block 200.

The top view of a full block is shown in FIG. 2B. There is a space shownbetween the two halves 220 and 230. The wall thickness or space 260between the two male extensions 240 and 250 may be 0.5 inches but willvary depending on the dimensions of the entire block. The spacing 260between the male extensions 240 and 250 allows the block wall clearancefor engagement with other blocks.

These blocks can and will vary in dimension, but typically are between 4inches to 16 inches tall and 4 inches to 16 inches wide. In a preferredembodiment, the depth is exactly one half of the width such that thepivot points on the top and bottom of the block will divide the width.This allows the blocks to move freely on the axial plane of the pivotswhile maintaining a consistently tight fit between blocks when engagedby the pivot points. Preferably, the male extensions on top of the blockwill typically be 0.5 inches to 3 inches long.

The side view of a half block 300 is shown in FIG. 3. In the event thatthe end of a wall or structure is not flush on one end as shown in theleft end of FIG. 1, a half block 300 may be used to complete a row ofblocks. A preferred embodiment of the half block would be the samedimensions in height and depth with one half the width of a whole block200. In a preferred embodiment, the lateral radius of block would have awall thickness of 0.25 inches. Extending from the half block 300, themale extension 340 extends 1.5 inches from the block surface 320 and is4.5 inches in diameter. The half block 300 is preferably 9 inches talland 5 inches wide.

To create a top or bottom smooth surface for columns, shelves, tables orother similar pieces of furniture, a cap block 400 as shown in FIG. 4may be used. In a preferred embodiment the cap block would have a smoothsurface with no male extensions extending from the block body 410. Inthe preferred embodiment, the top surface has a wall thickness of 0.5inches. The bottom of the block 420 would have the female receptacles430 and 440 that measure the same diameter as the male extensions thatare used in the other blocks so that they may link together. Preferably,the female receptacles 430 and 440 are 4.5 inches in diameter to receivethe male receptacles discussed in the preferred embodiment describedabove. In the preferred embodiment, the female receptacles 430 and 440would also sit 0.5 inches apart within the block body 410, as the maleextensions shown in FIGS. 1-3 would also be separated by approximately0.5 inches.

A view of an assembly 500 of the blocks is shown in FIG. 5. The fullblocks 510 fit into other full blocks 510, the half blocks 520 are usedat the ends to create a flush edge and the cap blocks 530 create a topand/or bottom surface. The blocks link into one another and the maleextensions are able to pivot and turn within the female receptacles tocreate straight or curved surfaces. A straight surface is shown in FIG.1 and a curved or circular surface is shown in FIG. 6.

As shown in FIG. 7A and FIG. 7B, the male receptacles 710 and 720 may beany diameter and have any wall thickness not to exceed the total blockbody width or depth when joined in pairs for full block or the capblocks, or in individual blocks as shown in the half block.

As shown in FIG. 8A and FIG. 8B, the block 810 may have a bore hole 820through which a block user may be able to weave items such as cable orwire. The internal bore hole 820 can be used in full blocks and capblocks to facilitate a cable locking mechanism whereby a series or arrayof blocks may be temporarily or permanently joined by running a wire orcable throughout as shown in FIG. 8B. As shown in FIG. 8B, the cable,wire, rope or other similar item would be snaked through the bore holes820 in a zig zag 830 or framing 840 fashion. By fixing both ends of thecable or wire, the locking mechanism will help to prohibit separation ofblocks. Cable may be run through the bore of the half blocks to increasethe stability of the structure.

As shown in FIG. 9A and FIG. 9B, full and cap blocks will have pivotpoints that are close to but at least twice as far apart from oneanother than they are from its surrounding block edge; this allowsenough engagement space to permit joining of other blocks. In anotherembodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 10A and FIG. 10B, pivot pointsmay be just over twice as far apart from each other than its surroundingblock edges to form walls or objects with very small distances betweenjoined block members. The blocks may also be designed to have pivotpoints farther apart, producing an open lattice effect when joined toother blocks as shown in FIG. 10B.

1. A block comprising: a block body that forms a first half and a secondhalf; said first half being barrel shaped defining a hole therethroughcomprising a first tubular extension that extends from the first end ofthe first half and a second end configured to receive a tubularextension from another block; and said second half being barrel shapeddefining a hole therethrough comprising a second tubular extension thatextends from the first end of the second half and said second end ofsaid second half configured to receive a tubular extension from anotherblock.
 2. The block of claim 1, whereby said block is one hundred feettall, fifty feet wide and twenty five feet deep.
 3. The block of claim1, whereby said block is 0.5 inches wide, 0.25 inches tall, and 0.25inches deep.
 4. The block of claim 1, whereby said block is nine inchestall, ten inches wide, and five inches deep.
 5. The block of claim 2,whereby said first tubular extension and said second tubular extensionare each one and a half inches in length.
 6. The block of claim 2,whereby said first tubular extension and said second tubular extensionare separated by one half inches of wall.
 7. The block of claim 1,whereby the first tubular extension and second tubular extension aremade of the same material as the block body.
 8. The block of claim 1,wherein the material of the block is selected from the group consistingof copper, aluminum, iron, steel, and bronze.
 9. The block of claim 1,wherein the material of the block is selected from the group consistingof plastic, acrylic, Lucite, styrene, pvc, clear glass, opaque glass,fiber glass, concrete, leather, paper, canvas, wood, medium densityfiber board, low density fiber board, fibers, Corian, marble, stone,Kevlar, and carbon fiber.
 10. A half block comprising: a block body;said block body being barrel shaped defining a hole therethroughcomprising a tubular extension that extends from the first end of thefirst half and a second end configured to receive a tubular extensionfrom another block.
 11. A cap block comprising: a block body that formsa first half and a second half; said first half being barrel shapeddefining a hole therethrough comprising a first end which has a flatcapped surface and a second end configured to receive a tubularextension from another block; and said second half being barrel shapeddefining a hole therethrough comprising a first end which has a flatcapped surface and a second end configured to receive a tubularextension from another block.